Navigated implantation of total knee prostheses - A comparison with conventional techniques

Objective:A navigation system should improve the quality of a total knee prosthesis implantation in comparison to the classical, surgeon-controlled operative technique. Methods: The authors have implanted 40 knee total prostheses with an optical infrared navigation system (Orthopilot (R) AESCULAP, Tuttlingen - group A). The quality of implantation was studied on postoperative long leg AP and lateral X-rays, and compared to a control group of 40 computer-paired total knee prostheses o the same model (Search (R) Prosthesis, AESCULAP, Tuttlingen) implanted with a classical, surgeon-controlled technique (group B). Results: An optimal mechanical femorotibial angle (3 degrees valgus to 3 degrees varus) was obtained by 33 cases in group A and 31 cases in group B (p > 0.05). Better results were seen for the coronal and sagittal orientation of both tibial and femoral components in group A, Globally, 26 cases of the group A and 12 cases of the group B were implanted in an optimal manner for all studied criteria (p < 0.01). Conclusions: The used navigation system allows a significant improvement of the quality of implantation of a knee total prosthesis in comparison to a classical, surgeon-controlled instrumentation. Long-term outcome could be consequently improved.